Lately I've been developing dark circles under my eyes. It tends to run in my family, so there's not much I can do, but is there anything I can use to minimize the look of them?

- Tyler, Grand Rapids, MI

If the smokey eyes are hereditary, then telling you to get more sleep and curtail caffeine won't help (but always good advice to heed). What you can do is make sure you're using a moisturizer with SPF. According to the Mayo Clinic, sun exposure can darken the circles. And by keeping the eye area hydrated, you'll plump up the tissue so the blood vessels underneath don't show as much. There are also a few specialty creams you can try, depending on your budget.

Solutions

Under-Eye Complex
Works on darkness and puffiness quickly while antioxidants and gingko help reverse sun damage. $18, by Baxter of California